a wizard of real power, and I didn’t want them to get hurt playing out of their league.
“Do you really think anyone has the power to hurt the dead?”
Kell sighed. “Before all this happened, I would have said no. Now, I don’t know. Something has riled up the ghosts. It’s got to the point where Melissa won’t go out with us anymore because she says she can’t stand to hear the ghosts screaming in her head.” He frowned. “The last time we went out, Melissa literally got sick from the impressions she received. She said that something was destroying the spirits. Isn’t that awful? But Melissa isn’t the kind to make something like that up.”
“How did you think I might be able to help?”
Kell set the empty cup back on the table and hesitated as if he were searching for just what to say. “I don’t know. Just hearing me out helps. I didn’t know if you’d come upon any old books, or charms, or sacred objects that we might be able to use to protect the spirits.” He looked at me earnestly. “They’re dead, Cassidy. Most of them had some kind of tragedy that kept them stuck here. They’ve suffered enough, first in life, and then by not getting to go on to wherever it is we’re supposed to go when we die. They weren’t bothering anyone. And now, thinking that someone – or something – is hurting them, it makes me angry.” Kell gave a self-deprecating chuckle. “Listen to me. I make it sound like they’re a bunch of stray cats.”
My mind was leaping ahead. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea,” I replied.
Kell looked confused. “Stray cats?”
I shook my head. “No. Charms. Protections.” Something else occurred to me. “Did you find any ghosts that didn’t fit the pattern? Any that hadn’t been damaged?”
Kell nodded. “A few. They were still riled up but Melissa didn’t get the same sense of panic.”
“Did those ghosts have anything in common?”
“Yeah. They were inside old churches. Consecrated ground.”
In other words, inside very powerful, heavily reinforced wardings. “You know, I think I may have a couple of ideas that might help with this,” I said. “I know some people who have a lot more experience with the supernatural than I do,” I added, fudging just a little. “How about if I go talk to them, and let you know what they say? Maybe I can get you some charms and amulets and you can take them to where the ghosts were causing a problem.”
Kell reached out and took my hand. “Cassidy, if you can do that, I’ll be your raving fan forever,” he swore. “Thank you. Just having you believe me matters. And if you can come up with something that helps – that would be amazing.”
I smiled. “Give me a day or two to track people down. I’ll call you as soon as I know anything.”
“And I will happily buy you dinner for your effort,” he said. “Promise.”
My cheeks flushed and I drew back my hand, but not before giving his a friendly squeeze. “Thanks. That sounds fun. But first let’s see if I can actually come up with something.”
Kell and I parted company at the corner with a promise to have lunch together soon. I was deep in thought as I walked back to Trifles and Folly. I wondered if the wraith Teag and I had encountered was bothering other ghosts, not just Tad’s spirit. I got my answer when I walked into the store and saw Alicia Peters talking with Teag.
Alicia gave me a friendly wave. “Hi Alicia!” I said. Alicia is a powerful spirit medium, someone Sorren and I had worked with on occasion. I had thought about calling her to see what she made of the hair necklace. The fact that she showed up on her own told me something big was going on.
“Hi Cassidy,” Alicia replied. “I thought I had better stop by and see what’s up, since the ghosts are climbing the walls, so to speak.” Alicia’s strong Lowcountry accent gave her a smooth drawl. Her dark, shoulder-length hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she had a twinset on over a dressy pair of jeans.
“I’ve got the front of the store,” Teag said, volunteering to handle customers since this was Maggie’s day off. “Why don’t you and Alicia go in the back?”
I led the way, and offered to make Alicia a cup of tea from our pot, but she shook her head, looking preoccupied. “No